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UNA-USA’s First Affinity Group is Unveiled at Dallas Chapter’s International Women’s Day Event

March 8, 2012

DALLAS – United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) Executive Director Patrick Madden is announcing the launch of the association’s first Affinity Group, UNA Women, today at the Tower Club in Dallas. The announcement is taking place at a Peace Patron Luncheon in celebration of International Women’s Day, hosted by the UNA-USA Dallas Chapter and Peacemakers, Inc., where UN Foundation President Timothy E. Wirth is being honored with a peace award; UNA-USA is a program of the UN Foundation.

UNA Women is the inaugural Affinity Group of the UNA-USA membership. Drawn from past UNA-USA visionaries, such as Eleanor Roosevelt, UNA Women draws its direction from the interests and passions of current members, who will convene in-person and virtually, to advance important and timely issues related to women and girls. UNA Women will advocate for UN programs that further women’s rights and empowerment internationally. Participation in UNA Women is open to any current UNA-USA member.

“UNA Women is a dedicated avenue for our members to support the UN’s work recognizing the contributions women and girls make to society,” said Madden.

The Dallas event is one of more than 40 being hosted by UNA-USA Chapters around the country recognizing International Women’s Day. The UN has made women’s issues a top priority through such objectives and initiatives as: the Millennium Development Goals focusing on gender equality and maternal health; UN Women; and Every Woman Every Child.

BackgroundInternational Women's Day has been observed since in the early 1900's, a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world that saw booming population growth and the rise of new political ideologies. Annually on March 8, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. More information on International Women’s Day can be found at www.internationalwomensday.com.

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MEDIA CONTACT:Joseph Catapano United Nations Association of the USA(202) 496-6398JCatapano@unausa.org

ABOUT UNA-USAThe United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA), a program of the UN Foundation, is a membership organization dedicated to inform, inspire and mobilize the American people to support the principles and vital work of the United Nations. UNA-USA works to accomplish its mission through its national network of chapters, advocacy efforts, education programs, and public events. UNA-USA and its sister organization the Better World Campaign are the single largest network of advocates and supporters of the United Nations in the world. For more information on UNA-USA, visit www.unausa.org.

ABOUT THE UN FOUNDATIONThe United Nations Foundation builds public-private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and broadens support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach. Through innovative campaigns and initiatives, the Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The Foundation was created in 1998 as a U.S. public charity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner and now is supported by global corporations, foundations, governments, and individuals. For more information, visit www.unfoundation.org.